Germany: Plane comes off runway at airport

Germany: Plane comes off runway at airport

The Embraer 145 jet, operated by German carrier Cirrus on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines, came to a halt in a field next to the runway, airport spokesman Reto Manitz said.

The cause of the accident was unclear, although it was raining at the time, the AP reports.

The 49 passengers and three crew members were able to leave the aircraft by the normal steps, Manitz said.

The plane had taken off from Nuremberg for Zurich shortly before the incident and then returned because smoke was reported in the cockpit.